Rules FAQ - Hero Games Company

though it may depend on special effects, the attacker’s knowledge of the target’s powers, and
other factors.
For example, let’s suppose a character has a Lightning Bolt Spell (RKA 2d6 + Linked Flash
4d6). A character with Drain Magic 3d6, Variable Effect (any one Magic power at a time; +1/2),
has to choose whether to Drain the RKA or the Flash — he can’t affect both at once. (A GM who
wants to deal with the additional complication could split the Drain effect between the two
powers if he wanted to, but that’s not the default rule.) If his power could affect “any two Magic
powers at once” (Expanded Effect + Variable Effect; +1), then he could Drain both powers at the
same time.
The standard rules on the proportionality of Linked powers (6E1 385) still apply. Draining a
greater power doesn’t affect a character’s ability to use the lesser power at all, and for purposes
of determining proportionality you determine a power’s “full strength” based on its current
(Adjusted) cost. Continuing the above example, suppose the RKA 2d6 were Drained 10 points,
making it an RKA 1d6+1. If the character uses the RKA at its current full strength (1d6+1), he
can still use the full Flash 4d6 even though the RKA is normally an RKA 2d6; if he only uses the
RKA at half strength, he can only use Flash 2d6.
Page 396 — Variable Limitations
Q: Can a Variable Limitation be used to to “counteract” an Advantage the power has (like
applying Increased Endurance Cost to a power that has Reduced Endurance (0 END))?
A: No. A character can’t use Variable Limitation to counteract, negate, nullify, or contradict an
Advantage that a power has. Nor can a character use Variable Advantage to counteract, negate,
nullify, or contradict a Limitation that a power has.